Obituary of Gerald Wayne Miller

Celebration of the Life of Gerald Wayne Miller (Gerry) It is with great sadness that the family of Gerald Wayne Miller (Gerry) announces that he passed away peacefully at home in Fairmont Hot Springs in the arms of his loving family on Tuesday, December 14, 2010. Gerry had faced medical challenges over the past 6 years with courage and grace. His positive attitude, strong faith and strength has been an inspiration for all who knew him. Gerry was born to Bill and Mona Miller in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on June 3, 1940. He spent his early years in Debden and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan moving to Calgary as a young boy. In 1948 Gerry was joined by his brother, Bill. Gerry graduated from Central High School in Calgary and attended Venture Military College prior to joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He was a proud member of the RCMP serving in Langley, Surrey, New Westminster, Regina, Sooke and completing his career as Staff Sergeant in Prince George. Gerry had a distinguished career in the RCMP and was awarded a Certificate of Honour for rescuing a man rendered unconscious by gas and lime fumes at the bottom of a 40 foot well in Langley. That selfless act typified Gerry's commitment to the RCMP and the people he served. Following retirement from the RCMP in 1982 Gerry began a second career with the Province of British Columbia serving as Manager of Court Services, Director at the Prince George Correctional Centre and the Prince George Youth Custody Centre and completing his career as Manager, Health and Safety for the Ministry of Child and Family Development. With each career move Gerry took on the new challenges with commitment and enthusiasm. He was a lifelong learner who constantly sought out new opportunities. Gerry had a passion for giving back to his community. He was a Past Governor of the Kinsmen Club and received a Life Membership from the Langley Club. Gerry was particularly recognized for leadership in the development of Telemiracle, a provincial telethon in Saskatchewan which has raised significant funds to improve the lives of vulnerable citizens in that province. Gerry has also been a member of the Rotary Club of Prince George as well as the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. He was also an executive member of the Liberal Riding Associations in both Prince George and the Columbia Valley. Even in death Gerry continues to give back through a bursary which is providing recognition for students graduating from Golden Secondary, David Thompson Secondary and Selkirk Secondary Schools and through a golf trophy which will be presented to a golfer at the Riverside Golf Course. Gerry was a natural athlete who enjoyed competitive curling and was passionate about golf. The last 9 years of Gerry's life were rewarding in that he lived in Fairmont Hot Springs (on the first tee) where he loved to golf. Gerry's passions included a love of history, motorcycling, flying, curling and travelling. He particularly enjoyed travelling to tropical destinations where he could golf. Gerry thoroughly enjoyed sharing his passions with his family. The loves of Gerry's life were his wife, Bendina, his daughter's Barb and Pam, his grandsons Sam and Cole and the numerous family pets he and Bendina welcomed into their home. Family was important to Gerry and he looked forward to and appreciated valuable time spent with his extended family. Gerry is survived by his loving wife Bendina, daughters Barbara (Michael Cato) of Seattle and Pamela (Chris Bugley) of Nanaimo, grandsons Sam Bugley and Cole Miller-Cato, brother Bill (Suzette), sister-in-law Marie Rowe (Bill Cookshaw) and brother-in-law Richard Looy (Claudia Miese). He is also survived by nieces and nephews Cindy Beland (Mike), Rob Miller(Dionne), Lisa Marlin (Tim Free), Danielle Rowe (Brad Riehl) and Germaine Miese-Looy (Mark Craig) as well as great nieces and nephews Jack Marlin, Justin Beland, Nathalie Beland, Benett Miller and Nolen Miller. Gerry was predeceased by his former wife Gail, his daughter Kristine Leigh, his parents Bill and Mona and his mother and father-in-law Dorothy and Mart Looy. Gerry will forever be remembered as a selfless, generous man with a tremendous sense of humour and a passion for life. He had a 'larger than life' presence, a ready laugh and he cared deeply about his family, friends and community. A Celebration of Gerry's Life will be held at Christ Church Trinity in Invermere, BC on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers Gerry has requested that donations be made to the Canadian Association for Community Living (www.CACL.ca) or ICAN, Invermere Companion Animal Network (www.icanhelpapet.com). Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com